Payer

Microsoft announced Oct. 19 that health insurers would be able to use its vertical-specific advertising, which is limited to certain industries. 

Humana announced a pair of moves that extends the company's presence in New Jersey and California. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and MiResource are launching a tool that better helps patients find mental healthcare in their area. 

Cigna is offering HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans in the St. Louis area, bringing offerings to counties in Missouri and Illinois. 

The American Customer Satisfaction Index released its annual Insurance and Health Care Study on Oct. 19, which gauges payer customer experiences.

Research from the Urban Institute found that among many healthcare specialties, markups above Medicare prices were upward of 330 percent. 

Springfield Clinic (Ill.) alerted patients of an upcoming contract deadline with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, calling the thought of the insurer terminating the contract as "unimaginable."

UnitedHealthcare has launched a virtual-first health plan for employers in nine markets.

Forty-four percent of employees purchased additional health coverage as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey from Aflac. 

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Priority Health is launching MyPriority Travel, a series of health plans that extend coverage for residents who travel out of state or work remotely.